East Coast Greenway Implementation Phase I

Delaware County is researching potential management strategies for the East Coast Greenway.

The East Coast Greenway is a primarily off-road multi-use trail system that will run from Maine to Florida. Delaware County is fortunate to have a designated segment of the trail proposed to run along the Delaware River coastline through Tinicum, Ridley, Eddystone, Chester, Trainer, and Marcus Hook.

The County was awarded a $40,000 Coastal Zone Management Program grant from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to work with area municipalities and stakeholders to identify potential construction and maintenance costs, as well as to identify possible trail management structures to ensure consistency in quality across the six municipalities.

The project involves research into costs for trail development, management, and maintenance. Research also includes review of other trail development and management structures for multi-municipal trails throughout the region, state, and country. The project builds upon efforts on the part of state and regional organizations, such as the East Coast Greenway Alliance, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, DVRPC, and DCNR, all of which have either undertaken efforts to either identify models for trail installation and management, or have direct experience in trail development.

In 2017, Planning Department staff worked with Delaware riverfront municipalities and regional organizations to identify an alignment for the trail. Project activities for 2018 will include meetings with municipal officials, study area businesses, and stakeholders to discuss trail implementation costs and long-term maintenance.